COUNCIL VOTES ON GAMES POOL

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32562, 23 March 1971, Page 1

COUNCIL VOTES ON GAMES POOL

The City Council last evening decided to reconstruct the Centennial Pool to become the Commonwealth Games Pool for 1974.

Councillors N. G. Pickering and R. M. Macfarlane voted against the motion. Cr R. H. Stillwell did not vote.

Cr N. G. Pickering said that “we on this side of the table are against it” The pool would be closed for two seasons and a half, and the Games pool should be built in the eastern suburbs. “However, we must get on the job and we must make sure the other metropolitan local bodies are with us,” Cr Pickering said. Cr P. G. N. Blaxhali said that the Waimairi County Council had made a great offer of assistance. He would be very sad to see the Centennial Pool, built as a memorial for the city’s first 100 years, be out of action, reconstructed and no

longer known by that name, said Cr R. M. Macfarlane. He still thought a new pool should be constructed elsewhere. The council’s decision was moved by Cr H. P. Smith who included in his motion acceptance of the offer of financial assistance from the Waimairi County Council, with thanks. The City Engineer (Mr P. G. Secular) reported that

alternative accommodation must be found for the pool superintendent so that this existing home might be demolished. Negotiations must begin to procure the Thomas Lock property as early demolition of those buildings would facilitate progress on the pool extensions. Demolition of the Ridgeley Hal] should proceed to provide a contractors’ site area. Negotiations must begin for a small part of the North Canterbury Hospital Board’s property as that would be occupied by part of the grandstand for the new pool (some additional land being

desirable for parking). The proprietor of the Foresters Hotel should be advised of the effect the project would have on the common boundary and driveway. The finance committee recommendations that the alternative accommodation be arranged for the pool superintendent, that negotiations be started to procure the Thomas Lock property and tenders called for the demoli-

tion of Ridgely Hall were carried. Sub-committee The council decided that the works and services committees should set up a subcommittee to select contractors Who should be invited' to tender for the project contract, to consider the form of tender and contract to be let, to accept tenders for demolition work, and to approve formally the design being developed. The sub-committee was authorised to invite other local body representatives to join it. The chairmen of the works

committee (Cr W. V. Cowles) and finance committee (Cr H. P. Smith) will discuss with Mr Secular the feasibility of the City Architect (Mr Fenton) being freed from the concrete seminar in Australia to inspect modem techniques on pools. Cr Smith said that the thought was, at present, that Mr Fenton will spend a few days in Melbourne and Svdnev examining cool designs. The Mayor (Mr A. R. Guthrev) said that it had been a. difficult decision and there, were no apologies required for the council taking a long ”cr Smith said that the

pooi would comply with what was required by the Commonwealth Games committee.

Cr Pickering said those on his side of the table only voted against the motion because of the site.

. After the vote, Cr Smith said: “If there is some confusion in the mind of Cr Stillwell, then that is understandable.”